ambitions and objectives

CLIMATE CHANGE CONTRIBUTION

A beaver walking through moss and grass.

Alignment to SDGs

7: Affordable and clean energy. 13: Climate action.

Ambition

Reduce our contribution to climate change, while ensuring the RSPCA and our operations are resilient to its impacts

Our scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon footprint has been calculated in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard and will be verified by an independent third party. Our net zero target is informed by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), which aligns with the Paris Agreement commitment to limit warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.

Net zero commitment

Reduce absolute emissions across our value chain by a minimum of 90% by 2050 from a 2023 base year (scope 1, 2 & 3), offsetting residual emissions where necessary using offsets that are equitable and sustainable in the long-term.

Emissions comprise*

Scope 1: direct GHG emissions from our operations (e.g. fuel consumption (fleet), gas heating, anaesthetic gas)

Scope 2: our electricity consumption

Scope 3: all indirect GHG emissions in our value chain, which are not directly owned or controlled by us. Of the 15 categories of S3 emissions, 13 are relevant to our operations.

*RSPCA’s Scope 1,2 & 3 emissions.

An RSPCA staff member plugging in a car to a charging point. — Animal rescue officer recharging his electric vehicle

Targets

Scope	Near-term target	Long-term target
1	Reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030 from a 2023 base year.	Reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2050 from a 2023 base year.
2	Increase the active annual sourcing of renewable electricity from 17% in 2023 to 100% by 2027; continue sourcing 100% renewable electricity annually through 2030 and beyond.	Continue annual sourcing of 100% renewable electricity through 2050.
3	Reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030 from a 2023 base year.	Reduce absolute greenhouse gas emissions 90% by 2050 from a 2023 base year.

The targets above are aligned with Corporate Net-Zero Standard Version 1.0 Science Based Targets, with potential updates in 2030 following the publication of Version 2.0

Objectives

To meet our net zero commitment and contribute to the acceleration to a low carbon economy we will:

Decarbonise our operations by:

Transitioning from gas heating at end of functional life to low-carbon solutions across our centres and hospitals.

Progressively replacing our fleet with electric vehicles, supported by estate-wide charger installation, and where possible home charger installation.

Collaborating across our branch network to maximise charge points for RSPCA, and for public charging where feasible.

Moving toward increased anaesthetic gas efficiency and alternative methods of anaesthesia.

Achieving 100% renewable electricity sourcing, maintained through 2050.

Increase energy efficiency, reduce pressure on the grid by:

Upgrading to LED lighting, improving insulation, installing building management systems across our estate portfolio.

Installing solar PVs where feasible.

Supporting colleague behavioural changes to reduce fleet fuel and building energy consumption.

Increase energy efficiency, reduce pressure on the grid by:

Focusing on reducing the carbon emissions in our most carbon intensive scope 3 categories, including purchased goods and services, specifically regarding Brand, Individual Giving, IT, Retail, Animal Services, Property Projects and organisational financial assets (including pensions.)

Fostering closer collaboration with our branches to reduce the RSPCA brand’s carbon footprint (further information in the Cross Cutting Themes Section).